Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all contested the first Super Sunday of the season as the Premier League arrived back on our screens with a bang.
Three of the biggest teams in the league got their campaigns underway after contrasting summers at Old Trafford, Anfield and the Emirates.
Early on in the day, the Red Devils took their superstar squad down to the South Coast in order to take on a hugely competitive Bournemouth side.
While it was barely a vintage performance for the club, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and company flexed their muscles as they ran out fairly comfortable 3-1 winners.
Hours later, North London witnessed a goal fest as Liverpool edged a typically fragile home side, winning 4-3.
Jurgen Klopp’s side were fantastic to watch though the defensive frailty that dogged them so much in his opening few months in charge remains prevalent.
So, what are the lessons from the two matches?
- Herrera is key for Pogba
With Paul Pogba now a United player, a lot of talk has centred around as to who will partner the Frenchman in the engine room.
Numerous names have been mooted, though Ander Herrera Sunday emerged as a potential deep-lying playmaking option.
Dropping deep and acting as somewhat of a quarter-back, the Spaniard kept possession ticking over at all times, performing a role not often seen since his move from Atletico Bilbao in 2014.
Composed on the ball, he could provide a natural foil for the marauding Pogba.
- Coutinho is Liverpool’s new Suarez
Since the departure of Luis Suarez to Barcelona in 2014, Liverpool have lacked someone to provide real star quality often enough.
Though the team as a whole is obviously stronger in more general areas, a club the magnitude of the Reds is best served boasting a talisman in which others can feed off.
Slowly but surely, Philippe Coutinho is developing into exactly that man.
The Brazilian, prior to his injury, was majestic on Sunday, notching twice in the goal glut.
Unable to impose himself on proceedings for the opening period, the 24-year old popped up with a moment of magic in his glorious free-kick, before growing into the game.
Barcelona must be casting keen eyes over him.
- Wenger needs to sign
Arsene Wenger has simply distanced himself from making any significant addition to his side aside Granit Xhaka. Two signings, Sadio Mane and Ibrahimovic, made the difference for Liverpool and Manchester United respectively.
But it’s a different story for Arsenal who were exposed at the back and lacked fire power upfront. Wenger should consider reinforcing in order to keep up with pace.
